The House Ethics Committee has dropped its investigation of Rep. Jamaal Bowman for pulling a fire alarm in the Capitol complex, citing the House's formal censure of him last month. Bowman pleaded guilty to pulling the alarm in D.C. Superior Court and was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and write an apology letter to the U.S. Capitol Police chief. The committee determined that further review of Bowman's conduct would be moot after the censure vote, and confirmed that he had complied with the relevant terms of his deferred sentencing agreement. Bowman's guilty plea was withdrawn and the charges against him were dismissed, with his fine paid on Jan. 10.
The Republican-led House has voted to censure Democratic Representative Jamaal Bowman for pulling a fire alarm in September, causing the evacuation of a House office building during efforts to avert a government shutdown. The resolution passed largely along party lines, with Bowman becoming the 27th House member to be censured. The resolution was sponsored by a Republican representative who accused Bowman of causing chaos and hindering House business. Democrats criticized the censure as trivial and a waste of time, highlighting the lack of censure for colleagues involved in the January 6th election overturn attempt. Bowman, who pleaded guilty to the charge, explained that he pulled the fire alarm by mistake while rushing to vote. The censure vote comes as the House increasingly uses this symbolic punishment against members.
The House voted to censure Democrat Rep. Jamaal Bowman for falsely pulling a fire alarm in a House office building in September. Bowman pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge for triggering the alarm. Three Democrats voted with Republicans to censure him. Censuring a House member is rare but has been used as a political tool. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries defended Bowman and accused Republicans of using censure resolutions to distract from bigger issues.
The House of Representatives has voted to censure Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York for falsely pulling a fire alarm in a Capitol Hill office building earlier this year, resulting in a misdemeanor charge. The vote largely fell along party lines, with three Democrats joining Republicans in censuring Bowman. Bowman has expressed regret and taken accountability for his actions, while Republicans argue that censure is necessary to hold him accountable for breaking the law. This marks the third censure of a House lawmaker this year and the 27th in the history of the House.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's decision to rely on Democratic votes to pass a short-term funding extension has angered hardline Republican conservatives, although they have not yet taken steps to oust him. The House passed a 45-day stopgap bill, which includes a measure to keep the Federal Aviation Administration operational. The White House has remained in touch with McCarthy throughout the day. Rep. Jamaal Bowman accidentally pulled a fire alarm before the House vote, leading to calls for an ethics investigation. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
